Resonator and resonating method

ABSTRACT

A resonator and resonator method are provided. The resonator includes an inductor, a capacitor, and a switch configured to maintain energy in at least one of the inductor and the capacitor for a select period of time and to enable variability of energy in the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor for another period of time, to set a resonating frequency of the inductor and the capacitor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2015-0163483, filed on Nov. 20, 2015, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to a resonator and a resonatingmethod.

2. Description of Related Art

LC resonators are frequently used in a wireless power transmissionfield. A resonant frequency of an LC resonator is determined and fixedbased on an inductance of an inductor and a capacitance of a capacitor.

An initially set resonant frequency varies (or drifts) due to variousfactors between a transmission end (transmitter) and a reception end(receiver). Accordingly, to properly tune the resonant frequency foreach situation, the transmission end or the reception end needs tocalibrate the resonant frequency. In addition, in the wireless powertransmission field, to transmit power through resonance matching it maybe necessary to adjust the resonance for either of the transmission endor the reception end.

A typical frequency calibration approach includes directly or indirectlychanging the effective value of at least one of an individual inductorand capacitor used in the corresponding resonator. For example, theinductor of the resonator may be a long coil where initially only anintermediate portion of the long coil is used to generate the resonance.When a resonant frequency of the resonator needs to be changed, theinductance is adjusted by changing the extent of the long coil used asthe intermediate portion. In the same manner, to have differentcapacitor values available, a capacitor having several values must beavailable, or multiple different capacitors of different values must beavailable. The different capacitances would be switched in or out of theresonance circuit, similar to the adjusting of the extent of theinductor coil that is used.

In other words, to calibrate a frequency in a typical LC resonator, aresonant frequency is changed using one or more inductors and capacitorsthat can be selectively switched into the resonance circuit to obtainthe desired resonant frequency. The changing of the resonant frequencyindicates selecting of a desired resonant frequency from discontinuousresonant frequencies. Thus, to have the capability to select variousresonant frequencies, the number of required devices, for example,respective switched in devices increases proportionally with the desiredvarious available resonant frequencies.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary may be not intended to identify key featuresor essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intendedto be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

One or more embodiments include a resonator that includes an inductor, acapacitor, and a switch configured to maintain energy in at least one ofthe inductor and the capacitor for a select period of time and to enablevariability of energy in the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor for another period of time, to set a resonating frequency ofthe inductor and the capacitor.

The select period of time may be selected from among varying periods oftime, which the switch is configured to maintain energy in the at leastone of the inductor and the capacitor, that variably implementrespective resonating frequencies of the inductor and the capacitor.

The switch may selectively operate according to the select period oftime and the other period of time based upon a control signal from acontroller, such that the control signal from the controllerimplementing the select period of time represents that the select periodof time, selected from among the varying periods of time, has beendetermined by the controller to be a period of time that maximizes aresonance matching of an LC circuit, which includes the inductor and thecapacitor, of the resonator and another LC circuit of an exteriorresonator that is implementing a wireless power transfer operationbetween the other LC circuit and the LC circuit of the resonator.

The resonator may be a mobile electronic device and further include thecontroller, where the switch may be a backscattering switch of the LCcircuit of the resonator.

The capacitor may have a fixed capacitance and the inductor may have afixed inductance, where the capacitor and inductor may be configured togenerate plural resonating frequencies depending on which of the varyingperiods of time is the select period of time.

The switch may operate for a first period of time to perform acalibrating maintenance of energy in the at least one of the inductorand the capacitor and a second period of time to not perform thecalibrating maintenance of the energy in a second period of time, inresponse to a control signal provided by a controller that generates thecontrol signal to calibrate the set resonating frequency.

The switch may be connected in parallel with the inductor.

The switch may be connected in series with the capacitor.

The inductor and the capacitor may be connected in parallel.

The inductor and the capacitor may be connected in series.

The switch may be a first switch connected in parallel with the inductorand configured to maintain an energy in the inductor for a first selectperiod of time, and the resonator may further include a second switchconnected in series with the capacitor and configured to maintain anenergy in the capacitor for a second select period of time.

The first select period of time may be synchronous with the secondselect period of time, and the first and second switches may becontrolled to operate so that during the first switch being controlledopen the second switch is closed and during the first switch beingcontrolled closed the second switch is open.

The capacitor may be a parasitic capacitor of the inductor.

An LC circuit, which includes the inductor, of the resonator thatgenerates the set resonance frequency may generate the set resonancefrequency without an additional capacitor.

The resonator may further include a controller configured to control theswitch to set the resonating frequency based on energy characteristicsof the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor.

The controller may be configured to sense values representing the energycharacteristics of the at least one of the inductor and the capacitorwhile changing operating time extents of the switch from a firstoperating time extent to a second operating time extent, and may beconfigured to control operation of the switch, to set the resonatingfrequency, based on a determined operating time extent for the switchthat corresponds to a maximum value among the sensed values.

The controller may be configured to sense values representing the energycharacteristics of the at least one of the inductor and the capacitorwhile incrementally changing operating time extents of the switch up toa predetermined number of times, and may be configured to controloperation of the switch, to set the resonating frequency, based on adetermined operating time extent for the switch that corresponds to amaximum value among the sensed values.

The energy characteristics of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor may include at least one of a value for a sensed current ofthe inductor and a value of a sensed voltage for the capacitor.

One or more embodiments may include a resonator method, the methodincluding controlling operation of a resonator, to set a resonatingfrequency of an inductor and a capacitor of the resonator, between atleast a maintaining of energy in at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor for a select period of time and an enabling of variability ofenergy in the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor for anotherperiod of time.

The controlling of the operation of the resonator between themaintaining of energy and enabling of variability of energy may includerespectively implementing the maintaining of energy and the enabling ofvariability of energy through alternate operations of a switch of theresonator.

The method may further include sensing energy characteristics of the atleast one of an inductor and a capacitor, and the controlling mayfurther include setting the resonating frequency based on the sensedenergy characteristics.

The sensing may include sensing values representing the energycharacteristics of the at least one of the inductor and the capacitorwhile changing operating time extents of the switch from a firstoperating time extent to a second operating time extent, and thecontrolling may include controlling the switch, to set the resonatingfrequency, based on a determined operating time extent, of the changedoperating time extents, that corresponds to a maximum value among thesensed values.

The sensing may include sensing values representing the energycharacteristics of the at least one of the inductor and the capacitorwhile incrementally changing operating time extents of the switch up toa predetermined number of times, and the controlling may includecontrolling the switch, to set the resonating frequency, based on adetermined operating time extent, of the changed operating time extents,that corresponds to a maximum value among the sensed values.

The sensed energy characteristics of the at least one of the inductorand the capacitor may include at least one of a value of a sensedcurrent for the inductor and a value of a sensed voltage for thecapacitor.

The controlling of the operation of the resonator to set the resonatingfrequency may be based on the switch being connected in parallel withthe inductor.

The controlling of the operation of the resonator to set the resonatingfrequency may be based on the switch being connected in series with thecapacitor.

The controlling of the operation of the resonator to set the resonatingfrequency may be based on the inductor and the capacitor being connectedin parallel.

The controlling of the operation of the resonator to set the resonatingfrequency may be based on the inductor and the capacitor being connectedin series.

The controlling of the operation of the resonator to set the resonatingfrequency may include controlling a first switch connected in parallelwith the inductor and to maintain an energy in the inductor for a firstselect period of time, and controlling a second switch connected inseries with the capacitor and to maintain an energy in the capacitor fora second select period of time.

The controlling of the operation of the resonator to set the resonatingfrequency may be based on the capacitor being a parasitic capacitor ofthe inductor.

One or more embodiments include a non-transitory processor readablemedium including processor readable code to control one or moreprocessing devices to implement any or any combination of the methodsdescribed herein.

One or more embodiments provide a resonator including an LC circuithaving a fixed inductance and capacitance, and a resonating frequencycontrolling circuit configured to selectively maintain energy withoutchange in a portion of the LC circuit for various select periods of timeto set respective resonating frequencies of the LC circuit.

The LC circuit may include an inductor with the fixed inductance and acapacitor with the fixed capacitance.

The LC circuit may include3 an inductor with the fixed inductance andthe fixed capacitance.

The resonating frequency controlling circuit may include a controllerconfigured to determine a calibrated period of time, from the variousselect periods of time, to set a calibrated frequency of the LC circuitwith a maximum energy level in the LC circuit compared to energy levelsthat would be provided by remaining select periods of time of thevarious select periods of time.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detaileddescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a resonator.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example of a frequency calibration operationof a resonator.

FIGS. 3A-9 illustrate example circuit configurations of a resonator,such as of the resonator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an operating method of a controller.

FIG. 11 illustrates example operations of a resonator method todetermine an optimum resonant frequency during initial setting.

FIG. 12 illustrates example operations of a resonator method tocalibrate a set resonant frequency when the resonant frequency varies.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an operating method of a controller.

FIG. 14 illustrates example operations of a resonator method todetermine an optimum resonant frequency during initial setting.

FIG. 15 illustrates example operations of a resonator method tocalibrate a set resonant frequency when the resonant frequency varies.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of an operating method of a controller.

FIG. 17 illustrates example operations of a resonator method todetermine an optimum resonant frequency during initial setting.

FIG. 18 illustrates example operations of a resonator method tocalibrate a set resonant frequency when the resonant frequency varies.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a resonator method.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwisedescribed or provided, the same drawing reference numerals will beunderstood to refer to the same or similar elements, features, andstructures. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size,proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may beexaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader ingaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses,and/or systems described herein. However, various changes,modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/orsystems described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art. The sequences of operations described herein are merelyexamples, and are not limited to those set forth herein, but may bechanged as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, withthe exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order.Also, descriptions of functions and constructions that are well known toone of ordinary skill in the art may be omitted for increased clarityand conciseness.

The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, andare not to be construed as being limited to the examples describedherein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided so thatthis disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the fullscope of the disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Particular structural or functional descriptions of the examplesdescribed herein are merely intended for the purpose of describing theexamples described herein and may be implemented in various forms.However, it should be understood that these examples are not construedas limited to the illustrated forms and include all changes, equivalentsor alternatives within the idea and the technical scope of thisdisclosure.

Although terms of “first,” “second,” and the like are used to explainvarious components, the components are not limited to such terms. Theseterms are used only to distinguish one component from another component.For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component,or similarly, the second component may be referred to as the firstcomponent within the scope of the present invention.

When it is mentioned that one component is “connected” or “accessed” toanother component, it may be understood that the one component isdirectly connected or accessed to another component or that stillanother component is interposed between the two components.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexamples only and is not to be limiting of the examples. As used herein,the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include theplural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “include/comprise” and/or“have” when used in the specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orcombinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition ofone or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientificterms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which examples belong based on anunderstanding of the present disclosure. It will be further understoodthat terms, such as those defined in commonly-used dictionaries, shouldbe interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaningin the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and willnot be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, examples are described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. However, the scope of the examples is not limitedto the descriptions provided in the present specification. The samereference numerals in the drawings refer to the same or like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a resonator, and FIGS. 2A-2B illustratean example of a frequency calibration operation for a resonator. As onlyan example, and for convenience of explanation, FIGS. 2A-2B will be usedto illustrate an example of a frequency calibration operation of theresonator 100 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the resonator 100 includes an inductor 110, acapacitor 130, a switch 150, and a controller 170.

The resonator 100 generates a wave or vibration of a predeterminedfrequency, for example, a resonant frequency, based on a resonancephenomenon between the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130. The resonator100 may be used for, as only examples, a filter, an oscillator, afrequency counter, a tuned amplifier, and/or a laser, depending onembodiment. Also, in differing embodiments, the resonator 100 is usedin, for example, a communication technology, a medical technology, or awireless power transmission technology.

A resonant frequency of the resonator 100 may vary (or drift) due tovarious factors, for example, a surrounding exterior environment. Theresonator 100 may be properly calibrated to adjust for the varyingresonant frequency. In addition, in one or more embodiments, whereresonance matching is performed between two or more resonators 100, forexample, either or both of the resonators 100 may control/calibratetheir resonant frequencies to match each other.

The switch 150 maintains an energy in at least one of the inductor 110and the capacitor 130 during a predetermined period of time. Forexample, based on a control of the controller 170, the switch 150maintains without change energy in at least one of the inductor 110 andthe capacitor 130 during/for a predetermined period of time. As onlyexamples, energy maintained in the inductor 110 may be maintained asmagnetic energy represented by inductor current and energy maintained inthe capacitor 130 may be maintained as electrical energy represented bycapacitor voltage.

In an example, the resonator 100 may be controlled to continue toresonate through such maintaining of energy in the inductor 110 by aselect operation of the switch 150 during/for a predetermined period oftime and a transferring of the maintained energy to the capacitor 130.

In another example, the resonator 100 may be controlled to continue toresonate thorough a maintaining of energy in the capacitor 130 by aselect operation of the switch 150 during/for a predetermined period oftime and a transferring of the maintained energy to the inductor 110.

In still another example, the resonator 100 may be controlled tocontinue to resonate while maintaining respective energy in the inductor110 and the capacitor 130 by a select operation of the switch 150during/for a predetermined period of time.

In other words, depending on embodiment, the resonator 100 may becontrolled to continue to resonate while maintaining energy in at leastone of the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 through select operationof at least the switch 150 during/for a predetermined period of time.

A resonant frequency (for example, f_(r)=1/T) of the resonator 100before the resonant frequency is calibrated may be represented by thebelow Equation 1, for example.

$\begin{matrix}{f_{r} = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, when the resonant frequency fr of theresonator 100 is calibrated, a resonance cycle T′ (FIG. 2B) of theresonator 100 becomes greater than the pre-calibration resonance cycle T(FIG. 2A) by a period of time t_(d), e.g., t_(d)/2 for each half Tcycle, by maintaining energy in at least one of the inductor 110 and thecapacitor 130. Accordingly, the resonance cycle T′ may be represented bythe below Equation 2, for example.T′=T+t _(d)  Equation 2

For Equation 2, a ratio of the period of time t_(d) (for example, theenergy maintenance interval) to the original cycle T may be denoted as αas shown in the below Equation 3, for example.α=t _(d) /T  Equation 3

When Equation 3 is substituted into Equation 2, T′ may alternatively berepresented by the below Equation 4, for example.T′=T+αT  Equation 4

When Equation 1 is substituted into Equation 4, a calibrated resonantfrequency f′_(i) of the resonator 100 may be represented by the belowEquation 5, for example.

$\begin{matrix}{f_{r}^{\prime} = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{\left( {1 + \alpha} \right)^{2}{LC}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 5}\end{matrix}$

In other words, the resonator 100 may be controlled to change theresonant frequency of the resonator 100 by maintaining energy in atleast one of the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 through selectoperation of switch 150 during/for a predetermined period of time.

In an example, the controller 170 controls an overall operation of theresonator 100, such as where controller 170 controls, for example, anoperation of each of the inductor 110, the capacitor 130, and the switch150.

In addition, the controller 170 may control selective operations of theswitch 150. For example, the controller 170 controls an operating timeof the switch 150, e.g., how long the switch respectively operates for aselect operation, based on a value associated with at least one of theinductor 110 and the capacitor 130. A period of time (for example, anenergy maintenance interval) during which energy is maintained in atleast one of the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 may be controlled tochange based on the operating time of the switch 150, as controlled bythe controller 170. As only an example, the controlled operations of theswitch 150 may include, for example, the switch 150 being controlled tobe on for period of time (on-time) and the switch 150 being control tobe off for a period of time (off-time).

The resonator 100 may set the energy maintenance interval to control themaintenance of energy in at least one of the inductor 110 and thecapacitor 130, and control an operating timing, for example, such anon-off timing of the switch 150 through operational control of thecontroller 170, to continue or continuously/automatically calibrate orchange/adjust a resonant frequency of the resonator 100 through varyingchanges of the energy maintenance interval. For example, such continuouscalibration may be used to perform a resonance matching with anotherresonator or to counteract an experienced drift of the resonator, e.g.,without having to change inductive or capacitive characteristics of theresonator, or in combination with the same.

It has been found that for typical resonators, as discussed above, tohave an adjustable resonance capability, the typical resonator must havea large size, or must use a substantial amount of area, to accommodateall of switches, inductors, and capacitors for each of the capableresonance frequencies, even if some of those available resonancefrequencies are never used. Further, even with the additional devicesand components the typical resonator will still be limited in thegranularity or discreteness in which the resonance frequency can beadjusted. In the example wireless power transmission field thismismatching of resonances between a typical reception end and a typicaltransmission end may result in inefficient power transmission.

Rather, in an embodiment where the resonator 100 includes the inductor110 and the capacitor 130 without such additional inductances orcapacitances capabilities, such as where the resonator 100 does notinclude (or alternatively only includes a reduced number compared to thetypical resonator for the same resonant frequency) varying switchablecapacitors with differing capacitances and/or multiple availableinductances through different intermediate portions of an inductor orthrough switchable plural inductors, it is possible for the resonator100 to have an area or size that is less than the typical resonator thatuses such additional switchable capacitances or inductances to achievethe same or similar resonance frequency. In addition, by using oradjusting an energy maintenance interval according to one or moreembodiments the resonator 100 may be able to have more selectable,discrete, or granule control of varying resonant frequencies compared tothe typical resonator. For example, in a wireless power transmissionembodiment, with this greater control of the varying resonantfrequencies there may be a more efficient energy transmission with moreaccurate resonance matching compared to the typical resonator in eitherof a reception end (receiver) and a transmission end (transmitter).Depending on embodiment, and only as an example, the resonator 100 maybe included in either or both of the reception end and transmission endand either or both of the reception end and transmission end mayselectively control their respective resonance frequencies bycontrolling respective energy maintenances. As only an example, thetransmission end may be a power supply and the reception end may bemobile device, such as a mobile phone or wearable device.

Below FIGS. 3A-9 set forth example circuit configurations of aresonator, such as of the resonator 100 of FIG. 1, according to one ormore embodiments. Below, for convenience of explanation, the examples ofFIGS. 3A-10, 13, and 16 will be explained through references to theresonator 100 of FIG. 1, including the inductor 110, the capacitor 130,and the switch 150 being respectively configured according to FIGS. 3A,4A, 5-10, 13, and 16, though such embodiments are also not limitedthereto. In addition, similar to the illustration of FIG. 1, FIGS. 3A,4A, 5-10, 13, and 16 also separately illustrate respective LC circuits,identified by the dashed lines, separately from the example respectivecontrollers. Though such illustrations demonstrate embodiments where thecontroller is separate from the respective LC circuits, respectiveembodiments are not limited thereto.

FIGS. 3A, 4A and 5 illustrate examples in which the inductor 110 and thecapacitor 130 of the resonator 100 are connected in parallel.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the switch 150 is a switch configured to maintainan energy in the inductor 110 during/for a predetermined period of time.For example, the switch 150 is connected in parallel to the inductor110. Herein, the maintenance of energy in either of the inductor 110and/or capacitor 130 may mean that the respective energy is maintainedin the inductor 110 and/or capacitor 130 to not change, e.g., during thepredetermined period of time.

In an example, when the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 exchangemagnetic energy of the inductor 110 and electric energy of the capacitor130 with each other in forms of a current and a voltage, the switch 150may be controlled, by the controller 170, to turn on (for example,controlled to implement a short) at a point in time corresponding to agreatest or peak current flowing in the inductor 110 (for example, apoint in time corresponding to zero volts (V) of a voltage of thecapacitor 130).

In this example, because the voltage of zero V is applied to both endsof the inductor 110, the current flowing in the inductor 110 ismaintained without a change. In other words, the magnetic energy of theinductor 110 is being maintained in the inductor 110.

When an on state of the switch 150 is changed, e.g., by the controller170, to an off state after a predetermined period of time has elapsed,the magnetic energy maintained in the inductor 110 is transmitted to thecapacitor 130. For example, FIG. 3B illustrates example waveforms forthe current I_(L) of the inductor 110 and the voltage V_(c) of thecapacitor 130 as the switch 150 is changed from the off state to the onstate, and from the on state to the off state, with a set maintenance ofthe respective energy levels at the point in time the switch 150 isturned on and for a set period of time until the switch 150 is turnedoff.

Thus, the resonator 100 continues to resonate by maintaining energy inthe inductor 110 using the switch 150 during/for the predeterminedperiod of time and transferring the maintained energy to the capacitor130.

For example, when the resonator 100 is implemented in a wireless powertransmission system embodiment, the switch 150 connected in parallel tothe inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 may also be used forbackscattering. As another example, a typical or fixed LC circuit of areception end or transmission end, of such as in a wireless powertransmission system embodiment, that has an existing switch forbackscattering may be additionally controlled, e.g., by the controller170, to operate to maintain energy in the inductor 110 during apredetermined period of time according to one or more embodiments. Insuch an embodiment, and only as an example, a backscattering switch of atypical LC circuit of a reception end or transmission end may beselectively repurposed by inclusion of the controller 170 in therespective reception end or transmission end to selectively control themaintenance of energy according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4, the switch 150 is a switch configured to maintainenergy in the capacitor 130 during/for a predetermined period of time.For example, the switch 150 is connected in series to the capacitor 130.

In an example, when the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 exchange amagnetic energy of the inductor 110 and an electric energy of thecapacitor 130 with each other in forms of a current and a voltage, theswitch 150 may be controlled, by the controller 170, to turn off at apoint in time corresponding to a highest or peak voltage of thecapacitor 130 (for example, a point corresponding to zero ampere (A) ofa current of the inductor 110).

In this example, because the current of zero A flows in the capacitor130, the voltage of the capacitor 130 is maintained without a change. Inother words, the electric energy of the capacitor 130 is beingmaintained in the capacitor 130.

When an off state of the switch 150 is changed, e.g., by the controller170, to an on state after a predetermined period of time has elapsed,the electric energy maintained in the capacitor 130 is transmitted tothe inductor 110. For example, FIG. 4B illustrates example waveforms forthe current IL of the inductor 110 and the voltage V_(c) of thecapacitor 130 as the switch 150 is changed from the on state to the offstate, and from the off state to the on state, with a set maintenance ofthe respective energy levels at the point in time the switch 150 isturned off and for a set period of time until the switch 150 is turnedon.

Thus, the resonator 100 continues to resonate by energy in the capacitor130 using the switch 150 during/for the predetermined period of time andtransferring the maintained energy to the inductor 110.

Referring to FIG. 5, the switch 150 is a switch configured to maintainan energy in the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 during/for apredetermined period of time.

In the examples of FIGS. 3A and 4A, the resonator 100 maintains anenergy in either the inductor 110 or the capacitor 130 using the switch150. However, to maintain the energy in either the inductor 110 or thecapacitor 130 without energy loss, an operating timing, for example, an“on” timing or “off” timing, of the switch 150 may be desired to bematched to, or coincident with, a peak of the energy of either theinductor 110 or the capacitor 130.

In the example of FIG. 3A, when the switch 150 is turned on in a statein which the magnetic energy of the inductor 110 does has not yetreached its peak, electric energy that has not yet been transferred tothe inductor 110 remains in the capacitor 130 and is released/loss asthermal energy. In the example of FIG. 4A, when the switch 150 is turnedoff in a state in which the electric energy of the capacitor 130 has notyet reached its peak, magnetic energy that has not yet been transferredto the capacitor 130 remains in the inductor 110 and is released/loss asthermal energy.

The switch 150 of FIG. 5 maintains both the magnetic energy of theinductor 110 and the electric energy of the capacitor 130 based on thecontrol of the controller 170. The switch 150 includes a first switch151 configured to maintain energy in the capacitor 130 during/for apredetermined period of time, and a second switch 153 configured tomaintain energy in the inductor 110 during/for a predetermined period oftime.

The controller 170 separately controls an on-off timing of each of thefirst switch 151 and the second switch 153. For example, the controller170 separately controls an on-off timing of each of the first switch 151and the second switch 153 so that the magnetic energy of the inductor110 and the electric energy of the capacitor 130 are out of phase witheach other.

In this example, the magnetic energy of the inductor 110 and theelectric energy of the capacitor 130 are maintained without a changebased on an operating timing of the first switch 151 and an operatingtiming of the second switch 153, respectively. When the first switch 151and the second switch 153 operate in opposite states (for example, whenthe first switch is in an on state, the second switch is in an offstate, and vice versa), the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 exchangeenergies with each other. In other words, resonance between the inductor110 and the capacitor 130 is properly restarted from a point in time atwhich energy is maintained.

Here, in FIG. 5, resonator 100 continues to resonate by maintainingenergy in the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 using the first switch151 and the second switch 153 during/for a predetermined period of timeand exchanging the maintained energy with each other with minimized orwithout energy loss.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 3A through 5, when thecontrolled on or off of the switch 150 is repeated during/for respectivepredetermined periods of time at preset intervals (for example, at apoint during each half cycle), the resultant resonance cycle of theresonator 100 becomes greater than a typical resonant cycle, such asdiscussed above with regard to FIG. 2B. Thus, here, the resonantfrequency of the resonator 100 changes to be less than the resonantfrequency of the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 alone without energymaintenance according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130in the respective resonators 100 are connected in series. Respectiveconnection structures between the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 ofFIGS. 6 through 8 are different from the respective connectionstructures between the inductor 110 and the capacitor 130 of FIGS. 3Athrough 5, however, an operation of each of the respective inductors110, capacitors 130, switches 150, and controllers 170 of FIGS. 6through 8 may otherwise be controlled substantially the same ascorresponding operations of each of the respective inductors 110,capacitors 130, switches 150 and controllers 170 of FIGS. 3A through 5.Accordingly, the description of the operation of the respectiveresonators 100 of FIGS. 3A through 5 is also applicable to therespective resonators 100 of FIGS. 6 through 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, a switch 150 may be a switch configured to maintainan energy in the inductor 110 during a predetermined period of time. Forexample, in FIG. 9, the switch 150 is connected in parallel with theinductor 110. The calibration illustration of FIG. 2B may similarly berepresentative of energy being maintained in the corresponding inductorduring such a predetermined period of time where the switch is connectedin parallel with the inductor.

In FIG. 9, the capacitor 130 is, for example, a parasitic capacitor ofthe inductor 110. Accordingly, a desired resonance frequency may beprovided using a capacitor smaller than a capacitor that would berequired in a typical resonator for the same resonance frequency. Forexample, when the needed or desired size or capacitance of the capacitor130 is reduced to a limited or minimal value, the parasitic capacitor ofthe inductor 110 can be used as the capacitor 130 instead of theseparate capacitor 130 of FIGS. 3A-8. Accordingly, when the resonator100 uses the parasitic capacitor of the inductor 110 as the capacitor130, the resonator 100 may require a smaller area of a device comparedto a typical resonator and potentially smaller area than the resonators100 of FIGS. 3A-8.

Here, with regard to FIG. 9, the controlled operation of each of theinductor 110, the capacitor 130, the switch 150, and the controller 170in the resonator 100 of FIG. 9 may be substantially the same as thecontrolled operations of each of the inductor 110, the capacitor 130,the switch 150, and the controller 170 in the resonator 100 of FIG. 3A,for example. Accordingly, the description of the operation of theresonator 100 of FIG. 3A is also applicable to the resonator 100 of FIG.9.

Hereinafter, a configuration and an operation of a controller to controlan on-off time of the switch 150 of FIG. 1, for example, will bedescribed. Also, an operation of the resonator 100 to determine aninitial resonant frequency and to calibrate a varying resonant frequencybased on the control of the controller 170 will be further described.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an operating method of a controller,such as the controller 170 of FIG. 1, noting the embodiments are notlimited to the same. Below, for convenience of explanation, the exampleof FIG. 10 will be explained through references to the resonator 100 ofFIGS. 1 and 3A, including respective inductors 110, capacitors 130,switches 150, and controllers 170, though such embodiments of FIG. 10are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 170 controls an operating time ofthe switch 150 based on a value associated with the inductor 110. Forexample, the controller 170 senses or measures a current of the inductor110. The controller 170 controls the operating time of the switch 150based on a value or a magnitude of the sensed current.

The operating time of the switch 150 is, for example, an on-time or anoff-time. For example, the switch 150 operates at half cycle intervalsin accordance with the operating time.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the switch 150is turned on, a current flowing in the inductor 110 may be maintainedthe same or without change during/for an energy maintenance interval. Anon state of the switch 150 may correspond to the current flowing in theinductor 110 being maintained using the switch 150.

During the energy maintenance interval, the controller 170 monitorsenergy stored in the resonator 100 by sensing or measuring a value ofcurrent flowing in the switch 150.

The controller 170 determines or searches for an appropriate on-time ofthe switch 150 to control the resonator 100 to resonate with a greateramount of energy, by adjusting the on-time.

For example, the controller 170 determines an optimum on-time of theswitch 150 for the most efficient resonance during a cycle, and controlsthe switch 150 based on the determined on-time.

In an example, the cycle is set based on a minimum operating time and amaximum operating time of the switch 150. In another example, the cycleis set based on a number of times the operating time of the switch 150changes. In still another example, the cycle is set based on apredetermined period of time to control when to change the operatingtime of the switch 150.

As described above, a resonant frequency of the resonator 100 iscontrolled based on the determined on-time of the switch 150. Here,though the switch 150 may have different configurations depending onembodiment, in this example the on-time of the switch 150 of FIG. 10corresponds to a short or connection being created, such as across theparallel inductor 110 and capacitor 130 or between the V_(out) terminalsin FIGS. 3A or 10.

FIG. 11 illustrates examples operations of a resonator method todetermine an optimum resonant frequency during initial setting. Below,for convenience of explanation, the example of FIG. 11 will be explainedthrough references to the resonator 100 of FIG. 10, though suchembodiments of FIG. 11 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, when a resonant frequency of the resonator100 of FIG. 10 is initially set, the controller 170 determines orsearches for an optimum or sufficiently appropriate resonant frequencywhile continuously changing an operating time t_(d) of the switch 150from a first operating time t_(d.min) to a second operating timet_(d.max). Here, t_(d.min) may correspond to a shorter or minimumlength/period/operating time for the switch 150, while t_(d.max) maycorrespond to a longer or maximum length/period/operating time for theswitch 150. t_(d.max) may also be dependent on a maximum resonant cycleT. In an example, depending on the operating time t_(d), the switch 150may be controlled to switch from the off-time state to the on-time stateat half cycle intervals during. In addition, the operating time t_(d)is, for example, an on-time or an off-time, depending on theconfiguration and orientation of the switch 150.

In operation 1110, the controller 170 sets the operating time t_(d) tothe first operating time t_(d.min).

Thus, in operation 1120, the resonator 100 operates based on the setoperating time t_(d). In operation 1130, the controller 170 sets aresonance time t_(d.set) to have the value of the first operating timet_(d.min), senses or measures a value of a current flowing in the switch150 during the set operating time t_(d), and sets a first current valueI_(set) to be the sensed value of the current. After all operations ofFIG. 11 have been performed, the first current value I_(set) maydesirably be, for example, a maximum resonant current valuecorresponding to a maximum of the set resonance times t_(d.set).

In operation 1140, the controller 170 increases the operating time t_(d)by a predetermined time t_(step).

In operation 1150, the resonator 100 operates based on the increasedoperating time t_(d). In operation 1160, the controller 170 senses ormeasures a value of a current flowing in the switch 150 during theincreased operating time t_(d) and sets a second current value I_(temp)to have the sensed value of the current. The second current valueI_(temp) may be used as, for example, a temporary current value.

In operation 1170, the controller 170 compares the first current valueI_(set) to the second current value I_(temp).

When the second current value I_(temp) is greater than the first currentvalue I_(set), the controller 170 sets the resonance time t_(d.set) tobe the increased operating time t_(d) in operation 1173. In operation1175, the controller 170 resets the first current value I_(set) to havethe value of the sensed or measured current from operation 1160.

In operation 1180, the controller 170 compares the increased operatingtime t_(d) to the second operating time t_(d.max).

When the increased operating time t_(d) is greater than the secondoperating time t_(d.max), the controller 170 determines the resonancetime t_(d.set) to be an optimum operating time t_(d) to subsequently useto generate an optimum resonant frequency of the resonator 100 inoperation 1190.

When the increased operating time t_(d) is equal to or less than thesecond operating time t_(d.max), operations 1140 through 1180 arerepeatedly performed until the example incrementally increased operatingtime t_(d) is greater than the second operating time t_(d.max).

Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 11, the resonant frequency of theresonator 100 is determined based on the resonance time t_(d.set), whichis selectively updated through repetitions of operations 1140-1180 basedon whether the latest sensed or measured current is greater than theprevious largest sensed or measured current.

FIG. 12 illustrates example operations of a resonator method tocalibrate a set resonant frequency when the resonant frequency varies.Below, for convenience of explanation, the example of FIG. 12 will beexplained through references to the resonator 100 of FIG. 10, thoughsuch embodiments of FIG. 12 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12, when a currently set resonant frequency ofthe resonator 100 varies or is desired to vary, the controller 170calibrates the resonant frequency while changing an operating time t_(d)of the switch 150 by a predetermined period of time. The controller 170calibrates the resonant frequency up to a predetermined number k_(max)of times by incrementally increasing the number k each time theoperating time t_(d) is changed.

When the currently set resonant frequency varies or adjustment of theresonant frequency is desired, such as for when resonant matching withanother resonator is desired for wireless power transfer, the controller170 sets the number k to zero in operation 1210.

In operation 1220, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating timet_(d) corresponding to the number k. In operation 1230, the controller170 senses a value of a current flowing in the switch 150 during theoperating time t_(d) and sets a first current value I_(n) to have thesensed value of the current.

The controller 170 resets the number k by incrementing the number k byone in operation 1240, and compares the reset number k to the numberk_(max) in operation 1243.

When the reset number k is greater than the number k_(max) in operation1243, the controller 170 terminates calibrating of the resonantfrequency. Here, when controller 170 terminates the calibrating, thecontroller 170 determines a final operating time t_(d) corresponding tothe then present (i.e., based on k) first current value I_(n) as theappropriate operating time of the switch 150 to generate an optimumresonant frequency of the resonator 100, and calibrates the resonantfrequency of the resonator 100 based on the determined operating timet_(d).

When the reset number k is equal to or less than the number k_(max) inoperation 1243, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating time“t_(d)+t_(step)” in operation 1245. The operating time “t_(d)+t_(step)”is obtained by adding a predetermined time t_(step) to the operatingtime t_(d) corresponding to the number k. For example if the number khas been incremented several times already through repetitions ofoperation 1240 then t_(d) would have been incremented by t_(step)several times. In operation 1247, the controller 170 senses a value ofthe current flowing in the switch 150 during the operating time“t_(d)+t_(step)” and sets a second current value I_(n+1) to be thesensed value of the current.

In operation 1250, the controller 170 compares the first current valueI_(n) to the second current value I_(n+1).

When the second current value I_(n+1) is greater than the first currentvalue I_(n) in operation 1250, the controller 170 resets the operatingtime t_(d) to have the value of the operating time “t_(d)+t_(step)” inoperation 1253, and resets the first current value I_(n) to have thevalue of the current sensed in operation 1247, i.e., by resetting thefirst current value I_(n) to have the value of the second current valueI_(n+1), in operation 1255. The controller 170 then repeats operations1240-1243 and terminates calibration if the incremented k is now greaterthan k_(max) (operation 1243) or otherwise continues with the repetitionof the remaining operations according to the flow chart beginning withoperation 1245.

When the second current value I_(n+1) is equal to or less than the firstcurrent value I_(n) in operation 1250, the controller 170 resets thenumber k by incrementing the number k by one in operation 1260, andcompares the reset number k to the number k_(max) in operation 1263. Inother words, the controller 170 performs operations from operation 1260when the second current value I_(n+1) is equal to or less than the firstcurrent value I_(n) in operation 1250.

When the reset number k is greater than the number k_(max) in operation1263, the controller 170 terminates the calibrating of the resonantfrequency. Here, when controller 170 terminates the calibrating, thecontroller 170 determines a final operating time t_(d) corresponding tothe present first current value I_(n) as the appropriate operating timeof the switch 150 to generate an optimum resonant frequency of theresonator 100, and calibrates the resonant frequency of the resonator100 based on the determined operating time t_(d).

When the reset number k is equal to or less than the number k_(max) inoperation 1263, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating time“t_(d)−t_(step)” in operation 1265. The operating time “t_(d)−t_(step)”is obtained by subtracting the predetermined time t_(step) from theoperating time t_(d) corresponding to the number k. In operation 1267,the controller 170 senses the value of current flowing in the switch 150during the operating time “t_(d)−t_(step)” and sets the second currentvalue I_(n+1) to be the sensed value of the current.

In operation 1270, the controller 170 compares the first current valueI_(n) to the second current value I_(n+1).

When the second current value I_(n+1) is greater than the first currentvalue I_(n) in operation 1270, the controller 170 sets the operatingtime t_(d) to have the value of the operating time “t_(d)−t_(step)” inoperation 1273, and resets the first current value I_(n) to have thevalue of the sensed value of the current from operation 1267, i.e.,resets the first current value I_(n) to have the value of the secondcurrent value I_(n+1), in operation 1275. The controller 170 thenrepeats operations 1260-1263 and terminates calibration if theincremented k is now greater than k_(max) (operation 1263) or otherwisecontinues with the repetition of the remaining operations according tothe flow chart beginning with operation 1265.

Here, when the second current value I_(n+1) is equal to or less than thefirst current value I_(n) in operation 1270, the controller 170 returnsto operation 1240 according to the flow chart.

Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 12, the resonant frequency of theresonator 100 is determined based on the final resonance time t_(d)which has been selectively updated through repetitions of operations1253 and 1273 based on whether the then latest sensed or measuredcurrent, e.g., in respective operations 1247 and 1267, was greater thanthe previous largest sensed or measured current. The final resonancetime t_(d) may thus represent the largest sampled current, and maycorrespond to the resonating frequency with the greatest energy.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an operating method of a controller,such as the controller 170 of FIG. 1. Below, for convenience ofexplanation, the example of FIG. 13 will be explained through referencesto the resonator 100 of FIGS. 1 and 4A, including the inductor 110, thecapacitor 130, the switch 150, and the controller 170, though suchembodiments of FIG. 13 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 170 controls an operating time ofthe switch 150 based on a value associated with the capacitor 130. Forexample, the controller 170 senses or measures a voltage of thecapacitor 130. The controller 170 controls the operating time of theswitch 150 based on a value or a magnitude of the sensed voltage.

The operating time of the switch 150 is, for example, an on-time or anoff-time. For example, the switch 150 operates at half cycle intervalsin accordance with the operating time.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the switch 150is turned off, a voltage of both ends of the capacitor 130 may bemaintained the same or without change during/for an energy maintenanceinterval. An off state of the switch 150 corresponds to an electricenergy being stored in the capacitor 130 and a predetermined voltagebeing maintained.

During the energy maintenance interval, the controller 170 monitorsenergy stored in the resonator 100 by sensing or measuring a value ofvoltage across both ends of the capacitor 130.

The controller 170 determines or searches for an off-time of the switch150 to enable the resonator 100 to resonate with a greater amount ofenergy, by adjusting the an off-time.

For example, the controller 170 determines or searches for anappropriate or optimum off-time of the switch 150 to obtain the mostefficient resonance during a cycle, and controls the switch 150 based onthe determined off-time.

In an example, the cycle is set based on a minimum operating time and amaximum operating time of the switch 150. In another example, the cycleis set based on a number of times the operating time of the switch 150changes. In still another example, the cycle is set based on apredetermined period of time to control when to change the operatingtime of the switch 150.

As described above, a resonant frequency of the resonator 100 iscontrolled based on the determined off-time of the switch 150. Here,though the switch 150 may have different configurations depending onembodiment, in this example the off-time of the switch 150 of FIG. 13corresponds to an open or lost connection being created, such as inseries with the capacitor 130 and as demonstrated in FIGS. 4A or 13.

FIG. 14 illustrates example operations of a resonator method todetermine an optimum resonant frequency during initial setting. Below,for convenience of explanation, the example of FIG. 14 will be explainedthrough references to the resonator 100 of FIG. 13, though suchembodiments of FIG. 14 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, when a resonant frequency of the resonator100 of FIG. 13 is initially set, the controller 170 determines orsearches for the optimum or sufficiently appropriate resonant frequencywhile continuously changing an operating time t_(d) of the switch 150from a first operating time t_(d.min) to a second operating time t_(d.max). Here, t_(d.min) may correspond to a shorter or minimumlength/period/operating time for the switch 150, while t_(d.max) maycorrespond to a longer or maximum length/period/operating time for theswitch 150. t_(d.max) may also be dependent on a maximum resonant cycleT. In an example, depending on the operating time t_(d), the switch 150may be controlled to switch from the off-time state to the on-time stateat half cycle intervals. In addition, operating time t_(d) is, forexample, an on-time or an off-time, depending on the configuration andorientation of the switch 150.

In operation 1410, the controller 170 sets the operating time t_(d) tothe first operating time t_(d.min).

Thus, in operation 1420, the resonator 100 operates based on the setoperating time t_(d). In operation 1430, the controller 170 sets aresonance time t_(d.set) to have the value of the first operating timet_(d.min), senses or measures a value of a voltage of the capacitor 130during the set operating time t_(d), and sets a first voltage valueV_(set) to be the sensed value of the voltage. After all operations ofFIG. 14 have been performed, the first voltage value V_(set) maydesirably be, for example, a maximum resonant voltage valuecorresponding to a maximum of the set resonance times t_(d.set).

In operation 1440, the controller 170 increases the operating timet_(d)to an operating time t_(d) increased by a predetermined timet_(step).

In operation 1450, the resonator 100 operates based on the increasedoperating time t_(d). In operation 1460, the controller 170 senses ormeasures a value of a voltage of the capacitor 130 during the increasedoperating time t_(d) and sets a second voltage value V_(temp) to havethe sensed value of the voltage. The second voltage value V_(temp) maybe used as, for example, a temporary voltage value.

In operation 1470, the controller 170 compares the first voltage valueV_(set) to the second voltage value V_(temp).

When the second voltage value V_(temp) is greater than the first voltagevalue V_(set), the controller 170 sets the resonance time t_(d.set) tobe the increased operating time t_(d) in operation 1473. In operation1475, the controller 170 resets the first voltage value V_(set) to havethe value of the sensed or measured voltage from operation 1460.

In operation 1480, the controller 170 compares the increased operatingtime t_(d) to the second operating time t_(d.max).

When the increased operating time t_(d) is greater than the secondoperating time t_(d.max), the controller 170 determines the resonancetime t_(d.set) to be an optimum operating time t_(d) of the switch 150to be subsequently used to generate an optimum resonant frequency of theresonator 100 in operation 1490.

When the increased operating time t_(d) is equal to or less than thesecond operating time t_(d.max), operations 1440 through 1480 arerepeatedly performed until the example incrementally increased operatingtime t_(d) is greater than the second operating time t_(d.max).

Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 14, the resonant frequency of theresonator 100 is determined based on the resonance time t_(d.set), whichis selectively updated through repetitions of operations 1440-1480 basedon whether the latest sensed or measured voltage is greater than theprevious largest sensed or measured voltage.

FIG. 15 illustrates example operations of a resonator method tocalibrate a set resonant frequency when the resonant frequency varies.Below, for convenience of explanation, the example of FIG. 15 will beexplained through references to the resonator 100 of FIG. 13, thoughsuch embodiments of FIG. 15 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15, when a currently set resonant frequency ofthe resonator 100 varies or is desired to vary, the controller 170calibrates the resonant frequency while changing an operating time t_(d)of the switch 150 by a predetermined period of time. The controller 170calibrates the resonant frequency up to a predetermined number k_(max)of times by incrementally increasing the number k each time theoperating time t_(d) is changed.

When the currently set resonant frequency varies or adjustment of theresonant frequency is desired, such as for when resonant matching withanother resonator is desired for wireless power transfer, the controller170 sets the number k to zero in operation 1510.

In operation 1520, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating timet_(d) corresponding to the number k. In operation 1530, the controller170 senses a value of a voltage of the capacitor 130 during theoperating time t_(d) and sets a first voltage value V_(n) to have thesensed value of the voltage.

The controller 170 resets the number k by incrementing the number k byone in operation 1540, and compares the reset number k to the numberk_(max) in operation 1543.

When the reset number k is greater than the number k_(max) in operation1543, the controller 170 terminates calibrating of the resonantfrequency. Here, when controller 170 terminates the calibrating, thecontroller 170 determines a final operating time t_(d) corresponding tothe then present (i.e., based on k) first voltage value V_(n) as theappropriate operating time of the switch 150 to generate an optimumresonant frequency of the resonator 100, and calibrates the resonantfrequency of the resonator 100 based on the determined operating timet_(d).

When the reset number k is equal to or less than the number k_(max) inoperation 1543, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating time“t_(d)+t_(step)” in operation 1545. The operating time “t_(d)+t_(step)”is obtained by adding a predetermined time t_(step) to the operatingtime t_(d) corresponding to the number k. For example if the number khas been incremented several times already through repetitions ofoperation 1540 then t_(d) would have been incremented by t_(step)several times. In operation 1547, the controller 170 senses a value ofthe voltage of the capacitor 130 during the operating time“t_(d)+t_(step)” and sets a second voltage value V_(n) to be the sensedvalue of the voltage.

In operation 1550, the controller 170 compares the first voltage valueV_(n) to the second voltage value V_(n+1).

When the second voltage value V_(n+1) is greater than the first voltagevalue V_(n) in operation 1550, the controller 170 resets the operatingtime t_(d) to have the value of the operating time “t_(d)+t_(step)” inoperation 1553, and resets the first voltage value V_(n) to have thevalue of the voltage sensed in operation 1547, i.e., by resetting firstvoltage value V_(n) to have the value of the second voltage value V_(n)in operation 1555. The controller 170 then repeats operations 1540-1543and terminates calibration if the incremented k is now greater thank_(max) (operation 1543) or otherwise continues with the repetition ofthe remaining operations according to the flow chart beginning withoperation 1545.

When the second voltage value V_(n+1) is equal to or less than the firstvoltage value V_(n) in operation 1550, the controller 170 resets thenumber k by incrementing the number k by one in operation 1560, andcompares the reset number k to the number k_(max) in operation 1563. Inother words, the controller 170 performs operations from operation 1560when the second voltage value V_(n+1) is equal to or less than the firstvoltage value V_(n) in operation 1550.

When the reset number k is greater than the number k_(max) in operation1563, the controller 170 terminates the calibrating of the resonantfrequency. Here, when controller 170 terminates the calibrating, thecontroller 170 determines a final operating time t_(d) corresponding tothe present first voltage value V_(n) as the appropriate operating timeof the switch 150 to generate an optimum resonant frequency of theresonator 100, and calibrates the resonant frequency of the resonator100 based on the determined operating time t_(d).

When the reset number k is equal to or less than the number k_(max) inoperation 1563, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating time“t_(d)−t_(step)” in operation 1565. The operating time “t_(d)−t_(step)”is obtained by subtracting the predetermined time t_(step) from theoperating time t_(d) corresponding to the number k. In operation 1567,the controller 170 senses a value of the voltage of the capacitor 130during the operating time “t_(d)−t_(step)” and sets the second voltagevalue V_(n+1) to be the sensed value of the voltage.

In operation 1570, the controller 170 compares the first voltage valueV_(n) to the second voltage value V_(n+1).

When the second voltage value V_(n+1) is greater than the first voltagevalue V_(n) in operation 1570, the controller 170 sets the operatingtime t_(d) to have the value of the operating time “t_(d)−t_(step)” inoperation 1573, and resets the first voltage value V_(n) to have thevalue of the sensed value of the voltage from operation 1567, i.e.,resets the first voltage value V_(n) to have the value of the secondvoltage value V_(n+1), in operation 1575. The controller 170 thenrepeats operations 1560-1563 and terminates calibration if theincremented k is now greater than k_(max) (operation 1563) or otherwisecontinues with the repetition of the remaining operations according tothe flow chart beginning with operation 1565.

Here, when the second voltage value V_(n+1) is equal to or less than thefirst voltage value V_(n) in operation 1570, the controller 170 returnsto operation 1540 according to the flow chart.

Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 15, the resonant frequency of theresonator 100 is determined based on the final resonance time t_(d)which has been selectively updated through repetitions of operations1553 and 1573 based on whether the then latest sensed or measuredvoltage, e.g., in respective operations 1547 and 1567, was greater thanthe previous largest sensed or measured voltage. The final resonancetime t_(d) may thus represent the largest sampled voltage, and maycorrespond to the resonating frequency with the greatest energy.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of an operating method of a controller,such as the controller 170 of FIG. 1. Below, for convenience ofexplanation, the example of FIG. 16 will be explained through referencesto the resonator 100 of FIGS. 1 and 3A, including the inductor 110, thecapacitor 130, the switch 150, and the controller 170, though suchembodiments of FIG. 16 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 16, the controller 170 controls an operating time ofthe switch 150 based on a value associated with the capacitor 130. Forexample, the controller 170 senses or measures a peak value of a voltageof the capacitor 130. The controller 170 controls the operating time ofthe switch 150 based on the sensed peak value or a sensed magnitude ofthe voltage.

The operating time of the switch 150 is, for example, an on-time or anoff-time. For example, the switch 150 operates at half cycle intervalsin accordance with the operating time.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the switch 150is turned on, a current flowing in the inductor 110 may be maintainedthe same or without change during/for an energy maintenance interval.

During the energy maintenance interval, the controller 170 monitorsenergy stored in the resonator 100 by sensing or measuring a peak valueof voltage across both ends of the capacitor 130.

The controller 170 determines or searches for an operating time of theswitch 150 to enable the resonator 100 to resonate with a greater amountof energy, by adjusting the operating time.

For example, the controller 170 determines an optimum operating time ofthe switch 150 for most efficient resonance during a cycle, and controlsthe switch 150 based on the determined operating time.

In an example, the cycle is set based on a minimum operating time and amaximum operating time of the switch 150. In another example, the cycleis set based on a number of times the operating time of the switch 150changes. In still another example, the cycle is set based on apredetermined period of time to control when to change the operatingtime of the switch 150.

As described above, a resonant frequency of the resonator 100 iscontrolled based on the determined operating time of the switch 150.Here, though the switch 150 may have different configurations dependingon embodiment, in this example the operating time of the switch 150 ofFIG. 16 corresponds to a short or connection being created, such asacross the parallel inductor 110 and capacitor 130 or between theV_(out) terminals in FIGS. 3A or 16.

Also, the controller 170 continues to monitor a peak of the voltage ofthe capacitor 130 during intervals other than the energy maintenanceinterval.

FIG. 17 illustrates example operations of a resonator method todetermine an optimum resonant frequency during initial setting. Below,for convenience of explanation, the example of FIG. 17 will be explainedthrough references to the resonator 100 of FIG. 16, though suchembodiments of FIG. 17 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, when a resonant frequency of the resonator100 of FIG. 16 is initially set, the controller 170 determines or findsthe optimum or sufficiently appropriate resonant frequency whilecontinuously changing an operating time t_(d) of the switch 150 from afirst operating time t_(d.min) to a second operating time t_(d.max) .Here, t_(d.min) may correspond to a shorter or minimumlength/period/operating time for the switch 150, while t_(d.max) maycorrespond to a longer or maximum length/period/operating time for theswitch 150. t_(d.max) may also be dependent on a maximum resonant cycleT. In an example, depending on the operating time t_(d), the switch 150may be controlled to switch from the off-time state to the on-time stateat half cycle intervals. In addition, the operating time t_(d) is, forexample, an on-time or an off-time, depending on the configuration andorientation of the switch 150.

In operation 1710, the controller 170 sets the operating time t_(d) tothe first operating time t_(d.min).

Thus, in operation 1720, the resonator 100 operates based on the setoperating time t_(d). In operation 1730, the controller 170 sets aresonance time t_(d.set) to have the value of the first operating timet_(d.min), senses or measures for a peak value of a voltage of thecapacitor 130 during the set operating time t_(d), and sets a firstvoltage value V_(pk.set) to be the sensed peak value of the voltage.After all operations of FIG. 17 have been performed, the first voltagevalue V_(pk.set) may desirably be, for example, a maximum resonantvoltage peak value corresponding to a maximum of the set resonance timest_(d.set).

In operation 1740, the controller 170 increases the operating time t_(d)by a predetermined time t_(step).

In operation 1750, the resonator 100 operates based on the increasedoperating time t_(d). In operation 1760, the controller 170 senses ormeasures for a peak value of a voltage of the capacitor 130 during theincreased operating time t_(d) and sets a second voltage valueV_(pk.temp) to have the sensed peak value of the voltage. The secondvoltage value V_(pk.temp) may be used as, for example, a temporaryvoltage peak value.

In operation 1770, the controller 170 compares the first voltage peakvalue V_(pk.set) to the second voltage peak value V_(pk.temp).

When the second voltage peak value V_(pk.temp) is greater than the firstvoltage peak value V_(pk.set), the controller 170 sets the resonancetime t_(d.set) to be the increased operating time t_(d) in operation1773. In operation 1775, the controller 170 resets the first voltagepeak value V_(pk set) to have the value of the sensed peak value of thevoltage from operation 1760.

In operation 1780, the controller 170 compares the increased operatingtime t_(d) to the second operating time t_(d.max).

When the increased operating time t_(d) is greater than the secondoperating time t_(d.max), the controller 170 determines the resonancetime t_(d.set) to be an optimum operating time t_(d) for subsequent usewith the switch 150 to generate an optimum resonant frequency of theresonator 100 in operation 1790.

When the increased operating time t_(d) is equal to or less than thesecond operating time t_(d.max), operations 1740 through 1780 arerepeatedly performed until the example incrementally increased operatingtime t_(d) is greater than the second operating time t_(d.max).

Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 17, the resonant frequency of theresonator 100 is determined based on the resonance time t_(d.set), whichis selectively updated through repetitions of operations 1740-1780 basedon whether the latest sensed or measured peak voltage is greater thanthe previous sensed or measured peak voltage.

FIG. 18 illustrates example operations of a resonator method tocalibrate a set resonant frequency when the resonant frequency varies.Below, for convenience of explanation, the example of FIG. 18 will beexplained through references to the resonator 100 of FIG. 16, thoughsuch embodiments of FIG. 18 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 18, when a currently set resonant frequency ofthe resonator 100 varies or is desired to vary, the controller 170calibrates the resonant frequency while changing an operating time t_(d)of the switch 150 by a predetermined period of time. The controller 170calibrates the resonant frequency up to a predetermined number k_(max)of times by incrementally increasing the number k each time theoperating time t_(d) is changed.

When the currently set resonant frequency varies, or adjustment of theresonant frequency is desired, such as for when resonant matching withanother resonator is desired for wireless power transfer, the controller170 sets the number k to zero in operation 1810.

In operation 1820, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating timet_(d) corresponding to the number k. In operation 1830, the controller170 senses a peak value of a voltage of the capacitor 130 during theoperating time t_(d) and sets a first voltage peak value V_(pk.n) tohave the sensed peak value of the voltage.

The controller 170 resets the number k by incrementing the number k byone in operation 1840, and compares the reset number k to the numberk_(max) in operation 1843.

When the reset number k is greater than the number k_(max) in operation1843, the controller 170 terminates calibrating of the resonantfrequency. Here, when controller 170 terminates the calibrating, thecontroller 170 determines a final operating time t_(d) corresponding tothe then present (i.e., based on k) first voltage peak value V_(pk.n) asthe appropriate operating time of the switch 150 to generate an optimumresonant frequency of the resonator 100, and calibrates the resonantfrequency of the resonator 100 based on the determined operating timet_(d).

When the reset number k is equal to or less than the number k_(max) inoperation 1843, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating time“t_(d)+t_(step)” in operation 1845. The operating time “t_(d)+t_(step)”is obtained by adding a predetermined time t_(step) to the operatingtime t_(d) corresponding to the number k. For example if the number khas been incremented several times already through repetitions ofoperation 1840 then t_(d) would have been incremented by t_(step)several times. In operation 1847, the controller 170 senses a peak valueof the voltage of the capacitor 130 during the operating time“t_(d)+t_(step)” and sets a second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1) to bethe sensed peak value of the voltage.

In operation 1850, the controller 170 compares the first voltage peakvalue V_(pk.n) to the second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1).

When the second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1) is greater than the firstvoltage peak value V_(pk.n) in operation 1850, the controller 170 resetsthe operating time t_(d) to have the value of the operating time“t_(d)+t_(step)” in operation 1853, and resets the first voltage peakvalue V_(pk.n) to have the value of the second voltage peak valueV_(pk.n+1) in operation 1855. The controller 170 then repeats operations1840-1843 and terminates calibration if the incremented k is now greaterthan k_(max) (operation 1843) or otherwise continues with the repetitionof the remaining operations according to the flow chart beginning withoperation 1845.

When the second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1) is equal to or less thanthe first voltage peak value V_(pk.n) in operation 1850, the controller170 resets the number k by incrementing the number k by one in operation1860, and compares the reset number k to the number k_(max) in operation1863. In other words, the controller 170 performs operations fromoperation 1860 when the second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1) is equal toor less than the first voltage peak value V_(pk.n) in operation 1250.

When the reset number k is greater than the number k_(max) in operation1863, the controller 170 terminates the calibrating of the resonantfrequency. Here, when controller 170 terminates the calibrating, thecontroller 170 determines a final operating time t_(d) corresponding tothe present first voltage peak value V_(pk.n) as the appropriateoperating time of the switch 150 to generate an optimum resonantfrequency of the resonator 100, and calibrates the resonant frequency ofthe resonator 100 based on the determined operating time t_(d).

When the reset number k is equal to or less than the number k_(max) inoperation 1863, the resonator 100 operates based on an operating time“t_(d)−t_(step)” in operation 1865. The operating time “t_(d)−t_(step)”is obtained by subtracting the predetermined time t_(step) from theoperating time t_(d) corresponding to the number k. In operation 1867,the controller 170 senses a peak value of the voltage of the capacitor130 during the operating time “t_(d)−t_(step)” and sets the secondvoltage peak value V_(pk.n+1) to be the sensed peak value.

In operation 1870, the controller 170 compares the first voltage peakvalue V_(pk.n) to the second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1).

When the second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1) is greater than the firstvoltage peak value V_(pk.n) in operation 1870, the controller 170 setsthe operating time t_(d) to have the value of the operating time“t_(d)−t_(step)” in operation 1873, and resets the first voltage peakvalue V_(pk.n) to have the value of the sensed peak of the voltage fromoperation 1867, i.e., resets first voltage peak value V_(pk.n) to havethe value of the second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1), in operation1875. The controller 170 then repeats operations 1860-1863 andterminates calibration if the incremented k is now greater than k_(max)(operation 1863) or otherwise continues with the repetition of theremaining operations according to the flow chart beginning withoperation 1865.

Here, when the second voltage peak value V_(pk.n+1) is equal to or lessthan the first voltage peak value V_(pk.n) in operation 1870, thecontroller 170 returns to operation 1840 according to the flow chart.

Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 18, the resonant frequency of theresonator 100 is determined based on the final resonance time t_(d)which has been selectively updated through repetitions of operations1853 and 1873 based on whether the then latest sensed or measured peakvoltage, e.g., in respective operations 1847 and 1867, was greater thanthe previous largest sensed or measured peak voltage. The finalresonance time t_(d) may thus represent the largest sampled voltage, andmay correspond to the resonating frequency with the greatest energy.

FIG. 19 illustrates example operations of a resonator method. Below, forconvenience of explanation, the example of FIG. 19 will be explainedthrough references to the resonator 100 of FIG. 1, including theinductor 110, the capacitor 130, the switch 150, and the controller 170,though such embodiments of FIG. 19 are also not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 19, in operation 1910, the controller 170 senses avalue associated with at least one of the inductor 110 and the capacitor130.

In operation 1920, the controller 170 controls an operation of theswitch 150 to maintain energy in the at least one of the inductor 110and the capacitor 130 during/for a predetermined period of time, basedon the sensed value. Herein, the controller 170 may include one or moreprocessing devices, or other hardware control elements, configured tooperate as described in any of the above methods to control resonance ofa corresponding LC circuit.

The apparatuses, units, modules, devices, and other componentsillustrated in FIGS. 1, 3A, 4A, 5-10, 13 and 16 that perform theoperations described herein with respect to FIGS. 2B, 11, 12, 14, 15,17, 18 and 19 are implemented by hardware components. Examples ofhardware components include controllers, sensors, generators, drivers,and any other electronic components known to one of ordinary skill inthe art. In one example, the hardware components are implemented by oneor more processors or computers. A processor or computer is implementedby one or more hardware processing elements, such as an array of logicgates, a controller and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signalprocessor, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, afield-programmable gate array, a programmable logic array, amicroprocessor, or any other device or combination of devices known toone of ordinary skill in the art that is capable of responding to andexecuting instructions in a defined manner to achieve a desired result.In one example, a processor or computer includes, or is connected to,one or more memories storing instructions or software that are executedby the processor or computer. Hardware components implemented by aprocessor or computer execute instructions or software, such as anoperating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run onthe OS, to perform the operations described herein with respect to FIGS.11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19. The hardware components also access,manipulate, process, create, and store data in response to execution ofthe instructions or software. For simplicity, the singular term“processor” or “computer” may be used in the description of the examplesdescribed herein, but in other examples multiple processors or computersare used, or a processor or computer includes multiple processingelements, or multiple types of processing elements, or both. In oneexample, a hardware component includes multiple processors, and inanother example, a hardware component includes a processor and acontroller. A hardware component has any one or more of differentprocessing configurations, examples of which include a single processor,independent processors, parallel processors, single-instructionsingle-data (SISD) multiprocessing, single-instruction multiple-data(SIMD) multiprocessing, multiple-instruction single-data (MISD)multiprocessing, and multiple-instruction multiple-data (MIMD)multiprocessing.

Instructions or software to control a processor or computer to implementthe hardware components and perform the methods as described above arewritten as processor or computer readable code or programs, codesegments, instructions or any combination thereof, for individually orcollectively instructing or configuring the processor or computer tooperate as a machine or special-purpose computer to perform theoperations performed by the hardware components and the methods asdescribed above. In one example, the instructions or software includemachine code that is directly executed by the processor or computer,such as machine code produced by a compiler. In another example, theinstructions or software include higher-level code that is executed bythe processor or computer using an interpreter. Programmers of ordinaryskill in the art can readily write the instructions or software based onthe block diagrams and the flow charts illustrated in the drawings andthe corresponding descriptions in the specification, which disclosealgorithms for performing the operations performed by the hardwarecomponents and the methods as described above.

The instructions or software to control a processor or computer toimplement the hardware components and perform the methods as describedabove, and any associated data, data files, and data structures, arerecorded, stored, or fixed in or on one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media. Examples of a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium include read-only memory (ROM),random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs,CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs,BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-opticaldata storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks,solid-state disks, and any device known to one of ordinary skill in theart that is capable of storing the instructions or software and anyassociated data, data files, and data structures in a non-transitorymanner and providing the instructions or software and any associateddata, data files, and data structures to a processor or computer so thatthe processor or computer can execute the instructions. In one example,the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, anddata structures are distributed over network-coupled computer systems sothat the instructions and software and any associated data, data files,and data structures are stored, accessed, and executed in a distributedfashion by the processor or computer.

While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made in these examples without departing from the spiritand scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples describedherein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not forpurposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in eachexample are to be considered as being applicable to similar features oraspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if thedescribed techniques are performed in a different order, and/or ifcomponents in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit arecombined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by othercomponents or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosureis defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and theirequivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and theirequivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A resonator comprising: an inductor; a capacitor;a switch configured to maintain energy in at least one of the inductorand the capacitor for a select period of time and to enable variabilityof energy in the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor foranother period of time, to set a resonating frequency of the inductorand the capacitor; and a controller configured to control the switch toset the resonating frequency based on values of energy characteristicsof the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor, wherein thecontroller is configured to perform the control of the switch to sensethe values of the energy characteristics of the at least one of theinductor and the capacitor with respect to a changing of operating timeextents of the switch from at least a first operating time extent to asecond operating time extent, and to set the resonating frequency withthe select period of time being an operating time extent, among thechanged operating time extents of the switch, determined to maintainenergy characteristic values of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor at a maximum value among the sensed values of the energycharacteristics of the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor.2. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the select period of time isselected from among varying periods of time, which the switch isconfigured to respectively maintain energy in the at least one of theinductor and the capacitor, that variably implement respectiveresonating frequencies of the inductor and the capacitor.
 3. Theresonator of claim 2, wherein the switch selectively operates accordingto the select period of time and the other period of time based upon acontrol signal from the controller, such that the control signal fromthe controller implementing the select period of time represents thatthe select period of time, selected from among the varying periods oftime, has been determined by the controller to be a period of time thatmaximizes a resonance matching of an LC circuit, which includes theinductor and the capacitor, of the resonator and another LC circuit ofan exterior resonator that is implementing a wireless power transferoperation between the other LC circuit and the LC circuit of theresonator.
 4. The resonator of claim 2, wherein the capacitor has afixed capacitance and the inductor has a fixed inductance, and thecapacitor and inductor are configured to generate plural resonatingfrequencies depending on which of the varying periods of time is theselect period of time.
 5. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the switchoperates for a first period of time to perform a calibrating maintenanceof energy in the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor and asecond period of time to not perform the calibrating maintenance of theenergy in a second period of time, in response to a control signalprovided by the controller that generates the control signal tocalibrate the set resonating frequency.
 6. The resonator of claim 1,wherein the switch is connected in parallel with the inductor.
 7. Theresonator of claim 1, wherein the switch is connected in series with thecapacitor.
 8. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the inductor and thecapacitor are connected in parallel.
 9. The resonator of claim 1,wherein the inductor and the capacitor are connected in series.
 10. Theresonator of claim 1, wherein the capacitor is a parasitic capacitor ofthe inductor.
 11. The resonator of claim 10, wherein an LC circuit,including the inductor without an additional capacitor, generates theset resonating frequency.
 12. The resonator of claim 1, wherein theresonator is a mobile electronic device and further comprises thecontroller, and wherein the switch is a backscattering switch of an LCcircuit including the inductor and the capacitor.
 13. The resonator ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is configured to sense the values theenergy characteristics of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor while incrementally changing operating time extents of theswitch up to a predetermined number of time.
 14. The resonator of claim1, wherein the sensed values of the energy characteristics of the atleast one of the inductor and the capacitor comprises at least one of avalue for a sensed current of the inductor and a value of a sensedvoltage for the capacitor.
 15. The resonator of claim 1, wherein theresonator is an electronic device configured to provide wireless powerand/or receive wireless power using an LC resonator, including theinductor and the capacitor, configured to variably resonate dependent onselective activation of the switch as controlled by the controller. 16.A resonator comprising: an inductor; a capacitor; a switch configured tomaintain energy in at least one of the inductor and the capacitor for aselect period of time and to enable variability of energy in the atleast one of the inductor and the capacitor for another period of time,to set a resonating frequency of the inductor and the capacitor; and acontroller configured to control the switch to set the resonatingfrequency based on values of energy characteristics of the at least oneof the inductor and the capacitor, wherein the controller is configuredto perform the control of the switch to maintain the values of theenergy characteristics of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor at a maximum value among the values of the energycharacteristics of the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor,wherein the switch selectively operates according to the select periodof time and the other period of time based upon a control signal fromthe controller, such that the control signal from the controllerimplementing the select period of time represents that the select periodof time, selected from among the varying periods of time, has beendetermined by the controller to be a period of time that maximizes aresonance matching of an LC circuit, which includes the inductor and thecapacitor, of the resonator and another LC circuit of an exteriorresonator that is implementing a wireless power transfer operationbetween the other LC circuit and the LC circuit of the resonator, andwherein the resonator is a mobile electronic device and furthercomprises the controller, and wherein the switch is a backscatteringswitch of the LC circuit of the resonator.
 17. A resonator comprising:an inductor; a capacitor; a switch configured to maintain energy in atleast one of the inductor and the capacitor for a select period of timeand to enable variability of energy in the at least one of the inductorand the capacitor for another period of time, to set a resonatingfrequency of the inductor and the capacitor; and a controller configuredto control the switch to set the resonating frequency based on values ofenergy characteristics of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor, wherein the controller is configured to perform the controlof the switch to maintain the values of the energy characteristics ofthe at least one of the inductor and the capacitor at a maximum valueamong the values of the energy characteristics of the at least one ofthe inductor and the capacitor, wherein the switch is a first switchconnected in parallel with the inductor and configured to maintain anenergy in the inductor for a first select period of time, and whereinthe resonator further comprises a second switch connected in series withthe capacitor and configured to maintain an energy in the capacitor fora second select period of time.
 18. The resonator of claim 17, whereinthe first select period of time is synchronous with the second selectperiod of time, and during the first switch being controlled open thesecond switch is closed and during the first switch being controlledclosed the second switch is open.
 19. A resonator method, the methodcomprising: controlling operation of a resonator, to set a resonatingfrequency of an inductor and a capacitor of the resonator, between atleast a maintaining of energy in at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor for a select period of time and an enabling of variability ofenergy in the at least one of the inductor and the capacitor for anotherperiod of time; and controlling a switch to set the resonating frequencybased on values of energy characteristics of the at least one of theinductor and the capacitor, wherein the controlling of the switchcomprises sensing the values of the energy characteristics of the atleast one of the inductor and the capacitor with respect to a changingof operating time extents of the switch from at least a first operatingtime extent to a second operating time extent, and setting theresonating frequency with the select period of time as an operating timeextent, among the changed operating time extents of the switch,determined as maintaining energy characteristic values of the at leastone of the inductor and the capacitor at a maximum value among thesensed values of the energy characteristics of the at least one of theinductor and the capacitor.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein thecontrolling of the operation of the resonator between the maintaining ofenergy and enabling of variability of energy includes respectivelyimplementing the maintaining of energy and the enabling of variabilityof energy through alternate operations of the switch.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the sensing comprises sensing the values of the energycharacteristics of the at least one of the inductor and the capacitorwhile changing operating time extents of the switch from a firstoperating time extent to a second operating time extent.
 22. The methodof claim 20, wherein the sensing comprises sensing the values of theenergy characteristics of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor while incrementally changing operating time extents of theswitch up to a predetermined number of time.
 23. The method of claim 20,wherein the sensed values of the energy characteristics of the at leastone of the inductor and the capacitor comprises at least one of a valueof a sensed current for the inductor and a value of a sensed voltage forthe capacitor.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the controlling ofthe operation of the resonator to set the resonating frequency is basedon the switch being connected in parallel with the inductor.
 25. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the controlling of the operation of theresonator to set the resonating frequency is based on the switch beingconnected in series with the capacitor.
 26. The method of claim 19,wherein the controlling of the operation of the resonator to set theresonating frequency is based on the inductor and the capacitor beingconnected in parallel.
 27. The method of claim 19, wherein thecontrolling of the operation of the resonator to set the resonatingfrequency is based on the inductor and the capacitor being connected inseries.
 28. The method of claim 19, wherein the controlling of theoperation of the resonator to set the resonating frequency is based onthe capacitor being a parasitic capacitor of the inductor.
 29. Anon-transitory processor readable medium comprising processor readablecode to control one or more processing devices to implement the methodof claim
 19. 30. A resonator method, the method comprising: controllingoperation of a resonator, to set a resonating frequency of an inductorand a capacitor of the resonator, between at least a maintaining ofenergy in at least one of the inductor and the capacitor for a selectperiod of time and an enabling of variability of energy in the at leastone of the inductor and the capacitor for another period of time; andcontrolling a switch to set the resonating frequency based on values ofenergy characteristics of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor, wherein the controlling of the switch comprises maintainingthe values of the energy characteristics of the at least one of theinductor and the capacitor at a maximum value among the values of theenergy characteristics of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor, and wherein the controlling of the operation of the resonatorto set the resonating frequency includes controlling a first switchconnected in parallel with the inductor and to maintain an energy in theinductor for a first select period of time, and controlling a secondswitch connected in series with the capacitor and to maintain an energyin the capacitor for a second select period of time.
 31. A resonatorcomprising: an LC circuit having a fixed inductance and capacitance; aresonating frequency controlling circuit configured to selectivelymaintain energy without change in a portion of the LC circuit forvarious select periods of time to set respective resonating frequenciesof the LC circuit, wherein the resonating frequency controlling circuitis configured to control a switch to set the resonating frequency basedon sensed values of energy characteristics of the at least one of theinductor and the capacitor for different operating time extents of theswitch, where the controlling of the switch includes controlling theswitch to set the resonating frequency with one of the various selectperiods of time being an operating time extent, among the differentoperating time extents of the switch, determined to maintain energycharacteristic values of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor at a determined maximum value among the sensed values of theenergy characteristics of the at least one of the inductor and thecapacitor.
 32. The resonator of claim 31, wherein the LC circuitincludes an inductor with the fixed inductance and a capacitor with thefixed capacitance.
 33. The resonator of claim 31, wherein the LC circuitincludes an inductor with the fixed inductance and the fixedcapacitance.
 34. The resonator of claim 31, wherein the resonatingfrequency controlling circuit includes a controller configured todetermine a calibrated period of time, from the various select periodsof time, to set a calibrated frequency of the LC circuit with a maximumenergy level in the LC circuit compared to energy levels that would beprovided by remaining select periods of time of the various selectperiods of time.